Is It Hard To Get A Job In The UK As An International Student?
It can be hard for international students in the UK to get jobs due to high competition, visa regulations and language limitations. However, it is not impossible.
International students are only allowed to work a certain amount of hours per week during term time to make sure that their studies are their main priority.
However, sectors such as retail and hospitality often have flexible jobs available for students to do around their education commitments. Earning some extra money alongside studying can be a great way for international students to cover costs while studying.
If you’re an international student moving to the UK, get in touch with The Box Co. for door-to-door international shipping to make your life as easy as possible when coming to study in the UK.
What Are The Difficulties of Getting a Job In The UK as an International Student?
There are certain difficulties that international students in the UK may have when seeking a job:
Visa regulations
The main barrier for international students coming to the UK when it comes to working is visa limitations.
UK student visas have a limit on how many hours students can work during term time stipulating that students may only work 20 hours per week during term time. This could present problems for certain employers when applying for jobs.
However, many employers in student cities are used to flexible hour contracts to work around student commitments.
Language skills
For international students coming to the UK, the language barrier may be an issue when finding a job. It could make the application or interview process more nerve-wracking and the day-to-day work could be too much of a challenge for those with lower levels of English.
Competition
The job market in the UK can be competitive and international students will be competing with other students and graduates - especially in student cities.
National students could be a better fit for certain jobs due to language skills and lack of limitations on their work hours.
Work experience
Some companies might prefer to hire people who already have work experience in the UK.
What Jobs are Available for International Students in the UK?
Despite some challenges, there are jobs available for international students in the UK looking for work.
Good options for part-time work while studying include:
Retail - From local high street shops to supermarkets, retailers often offer part-time roles for students, including working the cashier, assisting customers or packing shelves.
Hospitality - Cafes, restaurants, pubs and hotels all offer shift work that could be a good option for international students.
Tutoring - International students could offer tutoring in any subjects they are competent in. If anyone is looking for classes in their native language, they could also offer language classes.
On-campus roles - There are usually various roles available across campus facilities such as cafe worker, student ambassador or library assistant.
Delivery driver - for those comfortable on a bike, a delivery driver could be a good option.
What are the Rules for Getting a Job in the UK as an International Student?
International students can get a job on their student visa but only subject to certain conditions.
During term-time, they are restricted to how many hours they are able to work: up to 20 hours per week for degree-level studies or 10 hours for below degree level. That means that students cannot take on a full-time, permanent role.
Outside of term time, students can work full-time, as long as it is the official vacation period. However, if choosing to stay during term time, students may be stuck when it comes to where to stay, as their university accommodation contract may have ended for the year.
If students choose to go home for the summer, they could get a job in their home country and see their families.
Alternatively, a number of affordable student storage options exist in the UK that allow students to store flexibly and affordably over the holiday periods. That way, they don't need to worry about their stuff over the summer, and may be able to find a flexible sub-let to rent.
This could be a good way of using the holiday periods to earn some extra money to spend during term time.
Beyond the amount of hours, there are also other limitations, like the type of work international students can do. For example, international students cannot be self-employed.
What do International Students Need to Get a Job in the UK?
To get a job in the UK, international students will need a valid student visa.
Beyond that, they will need to be registered on a full-time course of study supported by a sponsor with a good compliance record.
They may also need to apply for a National Insurance number once they get to the UK in order to work.
What Happens if International Students in the UK Work More than 20 Hours Per Week?
International students in the UK may only work 20 hours per week during term time as part of the conditions of their student visa.
Working more than that is a breach of their visa and could jeopardise their position in the UK. If found out, they may not be able to complete their studies and may have difficulty getting a new visa in the future.
How Much Can International Students in the UK Earn?
Since April 2025, the national minimum wage in the UK has been £12.21 per hour (for those 21 and over). This means that students in this age group, working 20 hours a week, could be making just under £1,000 per month.
For international students under 21, the minimum wage is lower - £10.00 per hour for 18-20 year olds and £7.55 per hour for under 18s and apprentices.
How Long Can You Stay in the UK After Graduating as an International Student?
International students in the UK can stay for two years after graduation (for those on a Graduate visa) or three years if they are PhD graduates. On this visa, they can seek work or work - in any field and at any skill level.
Moving Home After Studying in the UK
If you’re moving back home after studying in the UK - temporarily or permanently, we can make the moving process much smoother.
At The Box Co., we’ll collect your items straight from your UK address (whether it be uni halls, off-campus housing or even if it’s in storage in one of our secure storage facilities).
From there, we’ll ship your belongings safely and securely to your final destination - door-to-door. We ship to over 150 countries across the globe so can make sure your items get where they need to be, hassle-free. Contact us today to get a free quote!
